Breast support for a garment or garment part

ABSTRACT

A breast support ( 10   a,    10   b,    50 ) for a garment or garment part is disclosed as including at least two support elements ( 12   a,    12   b,    14   a,    14   b,    16   a,    16   b,    52, 54, 56, 58, 60 ) pivotally engaged with each other.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a breast support for a garment or garment part, including, but not limited to, brassieres, unlined brassieres, swimwear, sports bra, crop tops, sports tops, sleepwear, lingerie, intimate apparel, shapewear, corsets, wedding gowns and brassiere pads, a garment or garment part with such a breast support, a method of forming such a breast support and a method of forming a garment or garment part with such a breast support.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Existing brassieres usually have metal or plastic wires to provide support to, and to enhance the shape of, breasts of a wearer. Such wires are in a U-shape, either in two dimensions or in three dimensions which generally matches the horizontal outer contour (curvature) of the human body. However, such conventional brassieres suffer from one or more of the following disadvantages:

-   -   (a) as two-dimensional U-shaped wires are not shaped to match         the horizontal outer curvature of the body of the wearer, such         wires do not fit the body of the wearer properly;     -   (b) while three-dimensional wires generally match the horizontal         outer contour of the body of the wearer, the shapes of the         breasts differ from wearer to wearer. Even for the same wearer,         the shape of their breasts may change over time (e.g. due to         change in the wearer's weight), such that, irrespective of         whether two-dimensional or three-dimension wires are used, the         brassieres cannot closely fit the contour of the body by sitting         along the breast route; and     -   (c) the wires also cause discomfort to a wearer by pressing         against the ribs of the wearer or digging into the flesh in the         underarm region.

It is thus an objective of the present invention to provide a breast support for a garment or garment part, a garment or garment part with such a breast support, a method of forming such a breast support and a method of forming a garment or garment part with such a breast support in which the aforesaid shortcomings are mitigated or at least to provide a useful alternative to the trade and public.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a breast support for a garment or garment part, said breast support comprising at least a first support element and a second support element pivotally engaged with each other.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a garment or garment part including at least one breast support, said breast support comprising at least a first support element and a second support element pivotally engaged with each other.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of forming a breast support for a garment or garment part, said method comprising (a) providing a first support element, (b) providing a second support element, and (c) pivotally engaging said first support element with said second support element.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of forming a garment or garment part including incorporating at least one breast support in a garment or garment part, wherein said at least one breast support is formed by a method comprising (a) providing a first support element, (b) providing a second support element, and (c) pivotally engaging said first support element with said second support element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a pair of breast supports according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows an enlarged side view of one of the breast supports of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows an enlarged top view of the breast support of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows the positioning of one of the breast supports of FIG. 1 over a wearer's rib cage;

FIG. 5 shows movement of the breast support of FIG. 4 when a brassiere incorporating such a breast support is worn by the wearer;

FIG. 6 shows a partial further enlarged view of the breast support of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 shows a breast support according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 shows a pair of brassiere pads incorporated with the breast supports of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is an inside view of the pair of brassiere pads of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 shows movement of the breast support in one of the brassiere pads of FIG. 9; and

FIGS. 11 to 19 show a method of manufacture of the brassiere pads of FIG. 8, wherein

FIG. 11 shows a first piece of precursor material and a second piece of precursor material,

FIG. 12 shows the first piece of precursor material is placed between an upper mold and a lower mold of a mold to be molded to form at least two cup-shaped portions, as shown in FIG. 14,

FIG. 13 shows the second piece of precursor material placed between the upper mold and the lower mold to be molded to form at least two cup-shaped portions, again as shown in FIG. 14,

FIG. 14 shows two cup-shaped portions formed as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13,

FIG. 15 shows a layer of adhesive applied to the layer of foam material of the molded first piece of precursor material which, when the brassiere pads are duly assembled, contacts the molded second piece of precursor material,

FIG. 16 shows the breast supports placed on the molded second piece of precursor material,

FIG. 17 shows the molded first piece of precursor material, the molded second piece of precursor material, with the breast supports in between, placed within the upper mold and lower mold for molding

FIG. 18 shows the molded first piece of precursor material, molded second piece of precursor material, with the breast supports embedded in-between, after being released from the mold of FIG. 17 to form an integral laminated material, and

FIG. 19 shows the brassiere pads formed by being cut out from the integral laminated material of FIG. 18.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

A pair of breast supports according to a first embodiment of the present invention are shown in FIG. 1 and generally designated as 10 a, 10 b respectively. The breast support 10 a has a first curved segment 12 a, a second curved segment 14 a and a third curved segment 16 a which are pivotally engaged with one another in an end-to-end manner. In particular, the first curved segment 12 a is pivotally engaged with one longitudinal end of the second curved segment 14 a, and the third curved segment 16 a is pivotally engaged with another longitudinal end of the second curved segment 14 a. Similarly, the breast support 10 b has a first curved segment 12 b, a second curved segment 14 b and a third curved segment 16 b which are pivotally engaged with one another in an end-to-end manner. In particular, the first curved segment 12 b is pivotally engaged with one longitudinal end of the second curved segment 14 b, and the third curved segment 16 b is pivotally engaged with another longitudinal end of the second curved segment 14 b. The breast supports 10 a, 10 b are thus both articulated.

As shown in more detail in FIGS. 2 and 3, by way of such an arrangement, the first curved segment 12 b of the breast support 10 b is pivotable relative to the second curved segment 14 b about a hinge 22 b between the position shown in solid lines and the position shown in broken lines 12 b′. Similarly, by way of such an arrangement, the third curved segment 16 b of the breast support 10 b is pivotable relative to the second curved segment 14 b about a hinge 24 b between the position shown in solid lines and the position shown in broken lines 16 b′. It can also be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3 that the free end 18 b of the first curved segment 12 b and the free end 20 b of the third curved segment 16 b are of different curvature. In particular, the free end 18 b of the first curved segment 12 b is less rounded than the free end 20 b of the third curved segment 16 b. In addition, the free end 20 b of the third curved segment 16 b has two opposite generally flat surfaces.

Turning to FIGS. 4 and 5, it can be seen that the breast support 10 a sits under a breast B of a wearer of a brassiere incorporated with the breast support 10 a, and the shape of the breast support 10 a follows closely the contour of the rib cage of the wearer. If the shape of the breast support 10 does not fit the contour of the rib cage of the wearer, the first curved segment 12 a, the second curved segment 14 a and the third curved segment 16 a may be pivotally movable relative to one another for adjustment purposes.

Although, as shown in FIG. 6, the present arrangement only allows the third curved segment 16 b and the second curved segment 14 b to be pivotable about the hinge 24 b, thus with only one degree-of-freedom, it is envisaged that, e.g. if a ball-and-socket joint is used instead of a hinge joint, the pivotal movement between the adjacent curved segments may allow more than one degree-of-freedom.

A breast support according to a second embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 7, and generally designated as 50. The breast support 50 is articulated, and has a first curved segment 52, a second curved segment 54, a third curved segment 56, a fourth curved 58 and a fifth curved segment 60 pivotally joined with one another in an end-to-end manner. By way of such an arrangement, the first curved segment 52 is pivotally engaged with the second curved segment 54, which is in turn pivotally engaged with the third curved segment 56, which is in turn pivotally engaged with the fourth curved segment 58, which is in turn pivotally engaged with the fifth curved segment 60. The shape of the breast support 50 may be adjusted by pivoting the curved segments 52, 54, 56, 58, 60 relative to one another so as to more closely fit the contour of the rib cage of the wearer of a garment or garment part incorporated with the breast support 50. As shown in FIG. 7, the curved segments 52, 54, 56, 58, 60 may be manipulated to change the shape of the breast support 50, e.g. between the one shown in solid lines and the one shown in broken lines 50′.

FIG. 8 shows a front view of two brassiere pads, generally designated as 70 a and 70 b respectively, and FIG. 9 is an inside view of the brassiere pads 70 a, 70 b. Each of the brassiere pads 70 a, 70 b is embedded with a respective breast support 10 a, 10 b according to the present invention along and adjacent the lower side 72 a, 72 b of the respective brassiere pads 70 a, 70 b. As shown in more detail in FIG. 10, and taking the brassiere pad 70 b as an example, when a brassiere with the brassiere pad 70 b incorporated with the breast support 10 b is worn by a wearer, the shape of the breast support 10 b, as well as the shape of the brassiere pad 70 b, may be changed (by pivotally moving the first curved segment 12 b, the second curved segment 14 b and the third curved segment 16 b relative to one another) so as to follow more closely the contour of the rib cage of the wearer.

FIGS. 11 to 19 show a method for manufacturing the brassiere pads 70 a, 70 b of FIG. 8 according to the present invention. FIG. 11 shows a first piece of precursor material 102 formed of a layer of fabric material 104 and a layer of foam material 106 fixedly engaged with each other by an adhesive and/or heat lamination, and a second piece of precursor material 108 formed of a layer of foam material 110 and a layer of fabric material 112 fixedly engaged with each other by an adhesive and/or heat lamination.

As shown in FIG. 12, the first piece of precursor material 102 is placed between an upper mold M₁ and a lower mold M₂ of a mold to be molded (by pressure and preferably with heat as well) to form at least two cup-shaped portions, as shown in FIG. 14. Similarly, and as shown in FIG. 13, the second piece of precursor material 108 is placed between the upper mold M₁ and lower mold M₂ to be molded (by pressure and preferably with heat as well) to form at least two cup-shaped portions, again as shown in FIG. 14.

As shown in FIG. 15, a layer of adhesive 114 is applied to the layer of foam material 106 of the molded first piece of precursor material 102 which, when the brassiere pads 70 a, 70 b are duly assembled, contacts the molded second piece of precursor material 108. Alternatively or in addition, a layer of adhesive is applied to the layer of foam material 110 of the molded second piece of precursor material 108 which, when the brassiere pads 70 a, 70 b are duly assembled, contacts the molded first piece of precursor material 102.

The breast supports 10 a, 10 b are then placed on the molded second piece of precursor material 108, as shown in FIG. 16. Further as shown in FIG. 17, the molded first piece of precursor material 102, the molded second piece of precursor material 108, with the breast supports 10 a, 10 b in between, are placed within the upper mold M₁ and lower mold M₂ for molding by pressure and preferably with heat as well. Although the breasts supports 10 a, 10 b are shown in FIG. 17 as being spaced away from the molded second piece of precursor material 108, it should be understood that, as mentioned earlier, the breast supports 10 a, 10 b are placed on the molded second piece of precursor material 108.

FIG. 18 shows the molded first piece of precursor material 102, molded second piece of precursor material 108, with the breast supports 10 a, 10 b embedded in-between, after being released from the mold comprising the upper mold M₁ and lower mold M₂ subsequent to further molding to form an integral laminated material 116. The brassiere pads 70 a, 70 b, as shown in FIG. 19, are then formed by being cut out from the integral laminated material 116.

The brassiere pads 70 a, 70 b may be used for forming a brassiere, or may be incorporated in other garments, e.g. swimwear. In addition, although the invention has thus far been discussed in the context in which the breast supports 10 a, 10 b are incorporated in the brassiere pads 70 a, 70 b by molding, it is envisaged that the breast supports 10 a, 10 b may be incorporated in the brassiere pads 70 a, 70 b by sewing and/or adhesive. Furthermore, the breast supports 10 a, 10 b may also be directly incorporated, e.g. by molding, sewing and/or adhesive, in other garments or garment parts, such as unlined brassieres, swimwear, sports bra, crop tops, sports tops, sleepwear, lingerie, intimate apparel, shapewear, corsets and wedding gowns.

It should be understood that the above only illustrates examples whereby the present invention may be carried out, and that various modifications and/or alterations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention.

It should also be understood that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any appropriate sub-combinations. 

1. A breast support for a garment or garment part, said breast support comprising at least a first support element and a second support element pivotally engaged with each other.
 2. A breast support according to claim 1 wherein said first support element and said second support element are pivotally engaged with each other via a hinge.
 3. A breast support according to claim 1 wherein said first support element and said second support element are curved.
 4. A breast support according to claim 1 wherein said first support element is made of nylon, compressed polyurethane and/or a resilient coated fabric.
 5. A breast support according to claim 1 wherein said second support element is made of nylon, compressed polyurethane and/or a resilient coated fabric.
 6. A breast support according to claim 1 wherein said first support element and said second support element are made of a same material or different materials.
 7. A breast support according to claim 1, further comprising at least a third support element pivotally engaged with said second support element.
 8. A breast support according to claim 7, further comprising at least a fourth support element pivotally engaged with said third support element and a fifth support element pivotally engaged with said fourth support element.
 9. A garment or garment part comprising at least one breast support according to claim
 1. 10. A method of forming a breast support for a garment or garment part, said method comprising: (a) providing a first support element, (b) providing a second support element, and (c) pivotally engaging said first support element with said second support element.
 11. A method according to claim 10 wherein said first support element and said second support element are pivotally engaged with each other via a hinge.
 12. A method according to claim 10 wherein said first support element and said second support element are curved.
 13. A method according to claim 10 wherein said first support element is made of nylon, compressed polyurethane and/or a resilient coated fabric.
 14. A method according to claim 10 wherein said second support element is made of nylon, compressed polyurethane and/or a resilient coated fabric.
 15. A method according to claim 10 wherein said first support element and said second support element are made of a same material or different material.
 16. A method according to claim 10, further comprising a step (d) of pivotally engaging at least a third support element with said second support element.
 17. A method according to claim 16, further comprising at least a step (e) of pivotally engaging a fourth support element with said third support element and a step (f) of pivotally engaging a fifth support element with said fourth support element.
 18. A method of forming a garment or garment part comprising incorporating at least one breast support formed by a method according to claim 10 in a garment or garment part.
 19. A method according to claim 18 wherein said at least one breast support is incorporated in said garment or garment part by molding, sewing and/or adhesive. 